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07-01-2019, 07:08 AM
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Majesty
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07-11-2019, 01:23 AM
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had events last week at Akasaka Imperial Palace (no photos)
July 3: audience with departing Danish Ambassador and spouse
July 5: audience with departing Swedish Ambassador and spouse, greeting from Princess Mako before traveling abroad
July 8: greetings from Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko before traveling abroad
Sources: Sankei 7/4, Sankei 7/5, Sankei 7/8
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07-29-2019, 04:25 AM
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's events at the Imperial Palace or Akasaka Palace per IHA schedule:
7/11: lectures from Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo professor
7/12: audience with departing Belgium ambassador and spouse
7/23: received Princess Mako's greetings and report after traveling abroad to Peru and Bolivia (Princess Aiko also attended)
7/24: audience with General Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7/25: audience with departing Dutch ambassador and spouse
Emperor Naruhito also had office work, appointment ceremony, and meeting with shrine/priests on 7/9, 7/12, 7/16, 7/23, and 7/24.
On July 29th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the opening ceremony and reception for the International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS 2019) in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
AP Images
https://twitter.com/asahi_photo/stat...43830957682688
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/1...7290016-p1.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/pho...0032165634.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/pho...0032165627.jpg
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07-29-2019, 04:53 AM
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Heir Apparent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisma
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's events at the Imperial Palace or Akasaka Palace per IHA schedule:
7/11: lectures from Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo professor
7/12: audience with departing Belgium ambassador and spouse
7/23: received Princess Mako's greetings and report after traveling abroad to Peru and Bolivia (Princess Aiko also attended)
7/24: audience with General Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7/25: audience with departing Dutch ambassador and spouse
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It's nice that Aiko also attended her cousin's greetings. Has she previously accompanied her father or mother to their official engagements?
Quote:
Emperor Naruhito also had office work, appointment ceremony, and meeting with shrine/priests on 7/9, 7/12, 7/16, 7/23, and 7/24.
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He seems quite busy. I wonder if the meetings with priests are related to the forthcoming enthronement or if he is simply being introduced to them in his new role as the emperor?
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08-01-2019, 03:42 AM
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Majesty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria
It's nice that Aiko also attended her cousin's greetings. Has she previously accompanied her father or mother to their official engagements?
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Yes, she has attended engagements at the palace such as meeting student reporters from Okinawa and Hokkaido and audiences with volunteers and IHA staff. Outside the palace, Aiko has accompanied her parents to art exhibitions, sporting events, concerts, and at least 1 conference.
ETA: Sankei Imperial Weekly reported Aiko recently learned about South America in geography class so she's interested.
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08-02-2019, 01:35 AM
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08-05-2019, 04:01 PM
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08-15-2019, 01:07 AM
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On August 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the National Memorial ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of Japan's WWII Surrender at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Emperor Naruhito expressed "deep remorse" for Japan's actions, repeating his father's expression.
Photos: Asahi, Sankei, AP Images, Mainichi
Japan marks 74th anniv. of WWII end, emperor mentions "deep remorse" - Kyodo News+
Quote:
[...]The 59-year-old, who ascended the throne in May, repeated the expression used by his father, former Emperor Akihito, in recent years. He was born after the end of World War II and, unlike his father, has never experienced war.
In his address, Emperor Naruhito said, "Looking back on the long period of postwar peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated."
The 85-year-old former emperor, who abdicated in late April, used the words "deep remorse" in his message every year since 2015, the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed not to repeat the tragedy of the war at the event, saying Japan "deeply recalls the lessons of history," but did not mention the country's past aggressions against its Asian neighbors as similar to years past since taking office in 2012.
[...]
A moment of silence was observed at Nippon Budokan at noon for the around 2.3 million military personnel and 800,000 civilians who perished in the war, including those killed in the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in other air raids, and the fighting on Okinawa.
[...]
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Japanese gov't holds ceremony to mark 74th anniversary of end of WWII - The Mainichi
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08-16-2019, 07:38 PM
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Text of address by Emperor Naruhito on occasion of Memorial Ceremony for War Dead - The Mainichi
EDITORIAL: Leaders should always express ‘deep remorse’ for the war: The Asahi Shimbun
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[...]
This year, Naruhito, who was born 15 years after the end of the war, delivered an address that contained most of the key elements of his father’s expressions concerning the theme.
"Bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated,” he said, making clear his strong support for the nation’s renunciation of war.
By voicing his determination not to forget that wartime Japan inflicted huge damage and suffering not only on its own people but also on people in many other countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, Naruhito effectively declared that he is as firmly committed as his father to promoting international harmony and cooperation.
[...]
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Emperor Naruhito will visit Niigata Prefecture September 16-17 for the 34th National Cultural Festival and 19th National Arts & Culture Festival for People with Disabilities. Empress Masako will attend if there is no problem with her physical condition.
Source: Nikkei
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08-18-2019, 08:09 AM
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Thanks! It seems that Emperor Naruhito means to follow the example of his father by reciting the same speech at every year's memorial.
However, one difference between his address and his father's address appears in the official translation.
Akihito
On this Day to Commemorate the War Dead and Pray for Peace, my thoughts are with the numerous people who lost their precious lives in the last war and their bereaved families, as I attend this Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead with a deep and renewed sense of sorrow.
Seventy-three years have already passed since the end of the war, and our country today enjoys peace and prosperity, thanks to the ceaseless effort made by the people of Japan, but when I look back on the sufferings and tribulations of the past, I cannot help but be overcome with deep emotion.
Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated. Together with all of our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, and pray for world peace and for the continuing development of our country.
Naruhito
On this Day to Commemorate the War Dead and Pray for Peace, my thoughts are with the numerous people who lost their precious lives in the last war and their bereaved families, as I attend this Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead with a deep and renewed sense of sorrow.
Seventy-four years have passed since the end of the war. Our country today enjoys peace and prosperity, thanks to the ceaseless efforts made by the people of Japan. When I look back on the arduous steps taken by the people, I cannot help but be overcome with deep emotion.
Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated. Together with all of our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, and pray for world peace and for the continuing development of our country.
But does this represent a textual change made by the new Emperor, or is it merely a change in the translation?
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08-30-2019, 12:30 PM
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On August 30th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 3rd Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize ceremony and dinner at Meiji Kinenkan in Minato, Tokyo. The prize honors individuals and organizations in medical research and medical activities in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda were this year's recipients.
Getty Images, Getty Images 2
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09-07-2019, 04:21 AM
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09-16-2019, 08:33 AM
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in Niigata today, September 16, for two culture-related festivals:
** gettyimages gallery ** ap gallery **
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09-16-2019, 09:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisma
Yes, she has attended engagements at the palace such as meeting student reporters from Okinawa and Hokkaido and audiences with volunteers and IHA staff. Outside the palace, Aiko has accompanied her parents to art exhibitions, sporting events, concerts, and at least 1 conference.
ETA: Sankei Imperial Weekly reported Aiko recently learned about South America in geography class so she's interested.
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Thanks! I appreciate the gradual and age-appropriate introduction of both Aiko and Hisahito to royal life; meeting student reporters seems like an especially useful activity as it encourages them to interact with members of the public without the burden of strict expectations.
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09-17-2019, 01:22 AM
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Majesty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iceflower
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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in Niigata today, September 16, for two culture-related festivals:
** gettyimages gallery ** ap gallery **
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Thanks! The festivals are the 34th National Cultural Festival and 19th National Arts & Culture Festival for People with Disabilities.
https://twitter.com/mainichiphoto/st...44232088289285
https://twitter.com/asahi_photo/stat...15009164378113
https://twitter.com/herniaviscount/s...90600949121024
https://twitter.com/syo_88a/status/1173543010690162689
Some 1500 people welcomed Imperial couple with lanterns along the Shinano River on the opposite bank of their hotel. [ NHK]
https://twitter.com/asahi_photo/stat...56117286223872
https://twitter.com/wasshoimegane/st...38927652720646
On September 17th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Niigata Fureai Plaza, a rehabilitation and training facility for people with disabilities, and Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum before returning to Tokyo. Aizu Yaichi (1881-1956) was a poet, calligrapher, and historian.
AP Images
https://twitter.com/syo_88a/status/1173758632887848960
https://twitter.com/anjilin63768128/...85894156939265
https://twitter.com/honeybearpooh3/s...88393739702277
ETA: Emperor, Empress attend ceremony in Niigata | The Japan Times
Quote:
... The Emperor expressed hope Monday that the festivals will help boost exchanges among people, provide an opportunity to re-examine traditional arts and culture, and create an environment in which many people find it easy to gain access to arts and culture.
The imperial couple met with people who performed during the ceremony. The Empress used sign language to express her gratitude to a deaf drummer...
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09-17-2019, 09:19 AM
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Reading through these recent engagements, it strikes me that someone in the IHA has noticed that Masako appears to particular advantage when she is interacting with children (and also with dogs, that kiss from the dog on the Empress's nose was especially sweet) and is offering her plenty of opportunities to present herself as relaxed, smiling, and engaged. Has there been any commentary in the Japanese press about the change in Masako's demeanor since the retirement of the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita? I've looked, but haven't seen anything, but since I'm confined to English translations, I haven't had any luck. It is very tempting to speculate about this.
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09-20-2019, 01:37 AM
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Coverage from most Japanese press is favorable. While they note differences to accommodate Masako's condition (2-day regional visits vs. 3-days under Emperor Akihito), they emphasize her public service, diplomatic background, and foreign language skills. It's quietly noted that Masako worships at her residence for the monthly court ritual instead of the Three Palace Sanctuaries. Weekly magazines are focused on clothes or Princess Mako/Kei Komuro saga.
Recently, news-postseven wonders when will Masako meet the press. Her last press conference was for her birthday in December 2002. Will she accompany Emperor Naruhito at his birthday press conference next February?
It seems the magazine has ruled out Masako meeting the press before the enthronement and Daijosai because there are too many activities in the fall. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had a press conference in August 1989 (I guess the mourning period for Emperor Showa was ending?). A reporter believes Crown Princess Kiko issued her 53rd birthday statement in writing rather than hold a press conference out of deference to Empress Masako. Michiko began birthday press conferences as Crown Princess, a practice Masako continued until her illness. As Empress, Michiko issued written responses for her birthday although she attended press conferences before traveling abroad and for her 50th wedding anniversary. Michiko attended 16 press conferences in the Heisei era.
Reporters are encouraged that Masako seemed at ease talking to them at the press op at Nasu Imperial Villa this year and last year.
ETA: Asahi translated their article about Masako in Akita Prefecture
Empress Masako all smiles during visit to Akita animal shelter: The Asahi Shimbun
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